Samsung Electronics has unveiled a blueprint to elevate factory operations from 'automation' to 'autonomy' by extensively applying AI to manufacturing sites. As process data becomes more deeply integrated with AI decision-making, a new challenge is emerging for the manufacturing industry: the need to design systems that encompass not only productivity and quality but also safety and accountability.

Samsung Electronics announced on March 1 that it would transform its domestic and international production plants into 'AI-Driven Factories' by 2030. The company presented a factory model that actively applies AI to the entire manufacturing process, from material receiving to production and shipment, and stated that it plans to unveil this along with its industrial AI strategy at MWC 26, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to 5.

Samsung Electronics has set forth digital twins and AI agents for each manufacturing sector as its implementation pillars. The company announced plans to simulate the entire process in a virtual environment to verify proposed changes in advance, and to enhance data analysis and operational decision-making through agents specialized in quality, production, and logistics. However, the scope of application, speed, and quantitative targets will be specified in a future phased roadmap.

Safety was treated as a separate axis. Samsung Electronics announced that it will expand the application of AI to the Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) sector to detect risk factors early and utilize them for accident prevention. The increasing importance of governance—including control, auditing, and accountability—as 'industrial AI' spreads to the field was also cited as the background for this announcement.

"Agentic AI" was also included as a keyword for manufacturing innovation. Generally, Agentic AI is described as agent-centric AI that formulates plans to achieve goals and executes them by combining various tools and steps. Samsung Electronics announced that it will strengthen the foundation for on-site autonomy across production, facilities, repair, and logistics by integrating AI experience accumulated in the mobile sector with manufacturing process operations. While the company also mentioned plans to introduce humanoid manufacturing robots, further disclosure is required regarding the actual implementation timeline and division of roles.

Samsung Electronics announced that it will introduce a strategy to strengthen governance following the expansion of AI autonomy at the 'Samsung Mobile Business Summit (SMBS),' a private event held during MWC 26. SMBS is an event where strategies and technological directions are shared with key B2B customers and partners, and Samsung explained that this year marks its 10th anniversary.